The Cubs and center fielder Cody Bellinger came together on a one-year deal last offseason after Bellinger was non-tendered by the Dodgers that November. The deal went exceptionally well for both sides as Bellinger bounced back to his previous, All Star-caliber form with a .307/.356/.525 slash line in 130 games last year before returning to the open market earlier this winter. Since, then, Bellinger’s market has been a surprisingly quiet one. MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand provided an update on the 28-year-old’s free agency today, suggesting that it’s a “widespread belief” in the industry that Bellinger will return to the north side when all is said and done this winter.
Even so, Feinsand makes clear that no deal is considered close between the two sides. While Bellinger is known to be seeking north of $200MM in free agency this winter, Feinsand indicates that Chicago brass is “showing restraint” in their bids for Bellinger’s services given the lack of aggressive suitors pursuing the offseason’s top free agent outfielder. While the report suggests the Blue Jays, Angels, Giants, Mets, and Mariners could all be possible suitors for the slugger’s services, Feinsand makes clear that those teams are likely only interested in the event that Bellinger’s price tag drops considerably below his current asking price.
It’s easy to see the fit for Bellinger in Chicago. While the club added infielder Michael Busch in a trade with the Dodgers this winter, giving the 26-year-old a likely inside track for the club’s wide-open first base job, the club still suffers from a relative lack of left-handed power and the return of Bellinger could help to fill the vacuum. What’s more, his 134 wRC+ last year led the team as they fell just a game short of returning to the playoffs in a full season for the first time since 2018, and his departure would leave a hole in the middle of the club’s order unless he was replaced with another quality bat.
That being said, if Bellinger were to patrol center field on a regular basis that would seemingly block top prospect Pete Crow-Armstrong, who made his major league debut last September with a profile highlighted by his defensive wizardry in center. While Crow-Armstrong may benefit from more development time at the Triple-A level (where he’s logged just 34 career appearances) after he went hitless in his first 19 trips to the plate in the majors last fall, the presence of Seiya Suzuki and Ian Happ on long-term deals in the outfield corners could complicate the Cubs’ long-term outlook in the outfield if Bellinger does return.
More notes from the north side of Chicago…
- As relayed by The Athletic’s Patrick Mooney, veteran right-hander Kyle Hendricks recently noted that, contrary to rumors that percolated this past autumn, the sides did not discuss a potential multi-year deal before the Cubs picked up his club option back in November. Hendricks added that the sides similarly haven’t made any sort of progress on a hypothetical contract extension in the months since. The 34-year-old has spent his entire major league career with the Cubs and rebounded from a pair of injury-marred seasons to post a solid 3.74 ERA and 3.81 FIP in 24 starts for the club last year. The longest-tenured player remaining on the big league roster, Hendricks figures to reach free agency for the first time in his career next winter if the sides don’t reach an agreement before then. In the event Hendricks does depart after the 2024 campaign, it could create openings in the club’s rotation for a number of young pitchers including Jordan Wicks, Javier Assad, and top pitching prospect Cade Horton.
- While the Cubs have typically avoided committing to free agent relievers on multi-year deals in recent years, president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer recently indicated that the club may be willing to go out of its comfort zone in order to bolster the bullpen this winter. As relayed by The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma, Hoyer noted that the Cubs have made “some” multiyear offers to bullpen arms in free agency this offseason before going on to emphasize that bolstering the club’s relief corps is a focus for the team headed into 2024. With Josh Hader and Robert Stephenson having recently come off the market, the likes of Aroldis Chapman, Matt Moore, David Robertson and Hector Neris represent the best remaining bullpen options in free agency.
Cubs should offer Belli 6 years at $180 million paid evenly each year, with opt-outs after 2 and 4 years
Maybe the money part (still too high AAV) but never with two opt outs. He’s not getting that anywhere else or anything close.
or they could become the dodgers and offer him a 10 year 200mil contract with 190mil of it deferred over the next 300 years.
Keep crying
Wow! Yes! -Swag-Man – you know!
I don’t think they should. He has a history of lack of focus on his career and has had one nice season in 4 years. Seems likely he was extra focused knowing a big year would lead to a huge payday. I’m not judging him as a person but as a professional athlete making that kinda money potentially. If I had a lot of financial flexibility I’d consider 150m tops but I think it’s a pure upside gamble. I think the opt out after 2 years is extremely sensible, tho he hasn’t really earned it.
I’m in favor of a “swell” contract, 5/125 opt out after two but the Cubs can negate the opt out if they extend him to an 8/215 total value or do an incentive based contract, say if the Cubs pick up their 3 year option, Bellinger can opt again after 4 years with a top whatever finish in the MVP voting or the Cubs can add another couple years.
Cubs hav a lot of outfield prospects but how often do those pan out? Also, I’m not a fan of our first base prospects either, granted I don’t know much about them but some of those guys will be trade capital and/or be busts.
It’s funny how out of one posters mouth will be “we have all these outfield and first base prospects” and later they will talk about wanting to make an impact trade that would deplete a lot of them.
Trading prospects for talent that’s in the Majors already is rare. It’s very hard to pull off. Ask the Cardinals how that’s going. However, When you have 3 top 100 OF prospects and you have 2 signed already for 3 years, Then you only really need 1 of the 3 to make it. So I’ll take those odds. Cubs have like 5 decent 1B prospects and only need one, I’ll take those odds too. No it doesn’t mean because you have good prospects they’ll pan out. But if the odds are in your favor I’m placing my bet.
“Trading prospects for talent that’s in the Majors already is rare. It’s very hard to pull off”
It’s so rare it happens all the time. In fact MLB actually has this thing called the “trade deadline. A couple weeks after the All-star game, teams that are in playoff contention trade prospects for MLB players that improve their roster to teams that have no shot at the playoffs… It’s so rare, it happens every season. Then during the off-season, teams like the NY Yankees trade prospects for a guy like Juan Soto. Again, it’s so rare, it happens every year.
Trades with prospects for MLB players are so rare, probably 80% of all trades can be categorized as such.
Why? No other team is offering anything close to that. Did you look at his underlying stats? They say he was super fortunate last year and will not come close to repeating them. He had a great year at the right time. Granted. But anything more than a short termed deal at $15-$20 M is going to come back to haunt.
He would sign immediately if he was getting 30m per.
Cubs and Cards fans finally agree on something.. …Cubs should offer 6 years at >25m AAV
No. I’d offer $75 for 3, with whatever opt outs Belli wants.
Jed, Tom : Please don’t bid against YOURSELVES.
You cannot offer Bellinger a three year deal, he would reach free agency with Happ, Suzuki and Hoerner and some pitching.
I like the 3/75 with opt out. I realize I worded my post wrong as I would never consider 150m but I meant I would expect a team with financial flexibility and desperation to improve to consider up to 150m tops. I think even a one year 35m-40m deal for a desperate team is understandable, tho is an absurd price. I just don’t want a long term deal.
They’ll never offer that much. 150 tops.
I think it’s finally going to backfire on Boras. Most teams have now made plan B moves, just like the Cubs. They are going to wait until the price drops.
The Cubs aren’t going to sign Bellinger for more than 2 years. Boras can hold on to him until June if that’s what he wants Hoyer isn’t budging. Hoskins is a much more realistic target at this point. It’s looking more an and more like the Cubs are happy where they’re at. Palencia, Little, Merryweather, Wesneski all have the arms for the pen and there are a couple arms that can help at Iowa in Horn and Sanders. Cuas is a wildcard and Leiter Jr. is solid if not remarkable as long as they keep him fresh. I don’t think much of Cuas I wouldn’t mind them picking up Robertson again for a solid option. Sometimes the best deals you make are the ones you don’t make. Until the prices come down to the level Hoyer wants he’s willing to roll the dice. Anyway it’s more the years than the price right now.
2 years? No way he signs for that. Hoyer left money on the table last year, and he’s doing it again. He’s so damn scared to make a mistake like Heyward that he’s overly cautious to the point of being stagnant. Fire Jed!
Robertson yes. Bellinger is going to get a contract for 6-8 years. He’s able to play all three OF, first, and DH so of course they have room for him. I believe Busch played or at least tried to play third more than first in the minors.
I’d love to see Boras’ strategy fall flat. He’s single-handedly killing the economics of baseball. The contracts he’s after for his players are crazy, and way more than a guy is worth. Sure, some rich owner will ultimately pay it, but the team will be hamstrung with a huge contract they can’t unload.
The Diamond Sports Group fiasco is the big wildcard this offseason. It’s caused a lot of teams to delay spending on FAs. Boras has to hope this is fully resolved soon or his whole offseason will be a disaster for his players.
It’s not as grim as you may think even if his clients sign after camp opens. Boras has his own facilities/support staff for players to get ready for the season. If it goes past Opening Day, they’ll still get their contracts and will probably be prorated for the days missed.
Mark Feinsand reported that the Yankees are the only team to have offered Blake Snell a contract at approximately 5/$150 to this point. If that’s true, then I don’t see other teams bidding against themselves and giving him anywhere near what he wants.
Either way Boras gets richer than he is, so I don’t think it’s too big a deal to him. The Conforto and Correa contracts weren’t good either (for what they wanted), albeit for different reasons. If it continues into next offseason, you may see some Boras-repped players begin to pivot to other agents.
I’m kind of thinking that the Cubs aren’t even interested in Hoskins anymore even at the pillow deal they got Belli at last year. They traded the #6 LH pitching prospect in all of baseball and a guy I thought was untouchable for Busch. It looks more and more like he’s your 1B. I’d hate to think they traded Ferris for Busch to play at Iowa. That would P*ss me off.
I’d assume he’d slide over to third if they sign either bellinger or Hoskins
Its been discussed that Busch is basically unplayable at 3rd. Kinda like Morel.
If signed, I assume Bellinger plays CF. He can play any OF spot, 1st and DH. Plenty of spots for him. If Hoskins is signed I’d guess it’s a 1 year deal. He’d split time at 1st until Busch takes off or doesn’t. Hoskins can struggle defensively, so he needs to hit.
“I’d hate to think they traded Ferris for Busch to play at Iowa”.
Yes, I’m almost positive Hoyer traded for Busch so Busch could play in Iowa. I’m certain that is the plan.
Belli to the Tokyo Giants for a Trillion Squid over 10 years.
I wonder if he has a yen to do that.
Hoyer is still asleep at the wheel. Seems like he’s waiting on Belli and doesn’t have $$ if he signs him. But if he goes elsewhere by then all the good guys will be gone. The bullpen sorely needs updates. Even if they sign Belli, we will be back to where we were last year when we came up short. It’s as if they believe having Counsell will get them to the postseason. You need talent! Cubs fans deserve better. This is his 4th year as POBO. When Theo was im his 4th year, the Cubs were in the playoffs. And he started from scratch! Fire Jed!
Has Boras ever went this deep into an off-season with this many free agents? It’s starting to feel like he is overplaying his hand here. It’s all supply and demand, right now the $$$ is sort of dried up.
I think players and agents are jaded by last off season, where the CBT numbers got moved up as part of the new deal and lots of teams thus had money to spend. Coupled with the TV deal turmoil anyone can see it’s just not a big spend off season.
Anyone but Boras and his clients.
Yes he has. And he’s had players who didn’t get signed too. All part of the game he plays. Fans and players who are waiting on deals are sweating it but boras is not
Why in the world would the Cubs want to sign Hendricks to an extension? I was totally amazed they picked up his option. I’d love to ask Jed if he had it to do over, Would he keep the 16 million and add it to what he has now and have gone after another starter? A guy like Gray? or Glasnow? That would be a question I’d like to ask.
Cubs didn’t want to pony up the players to land Glasnow, they could have! It took more than money to get him. Sonny Gray would have just takend money but he has to want to play there, something he did not want. He in fact had tha cardinals at the top of his list and son of a bee he signed there. I’d love to see you talk to them, stumble on your words and realize how naive you actually are.
Moneyballer,
“I’d love to see you talk to them, stumble on your words and realize how naive you actually are.”
Indeed… He thinks Hoyer makes decisions in a panic or something. Hoyer has 3 rings. Has endless amount of data on players and feedback from scout that actually see these guys in a daily basis. Yet, for some reason Mike continually calls Hoyer an idiot and bizarrely Mike literally thinks he is smarter than Hoyer. It’s actually humorous at this point
On top of all that, for some reason Mike just hates Hendricks, on a daily basis he reminded people that he was predicting Hendricks wouldn’t pitch 5 games last year. Then hammered Hendricks as washed up for the rest of the season, even after nearly throwing the no-hitter.
Picking up his option was a no-brainer. The Cubs could hold onto him or easily trade him. I wouldn’t be surprised at all if Hendricks is extended. In fact, I kinda expect it.
I can see why Bellinger’s market is cautious. His 2021/22 seasons were putrid and his decline mysterious. He looks like he is back and should be solid, but there are no guarantees. Could very well be a case of buyer’s remorse for whoever signs him.
The problem for the Cubs is that minus Bellinger/Stroman, they are clearly worse than in 2023, even with their expensive manager. Very disappointing offseason so far for them, Imanaga probably won’t even replace Stroman adequately. But there are lots of options out there. Could they sign Matt Chapman for much less than Bellinger? Chapman isn’t great but is a GG defender, with a WAR of at least 3.5 the past 3 years, and was even better than that the early part of his career. He is a pretty good player even if not a spectacular one, and has played at least 140 games in each full season since 2018. To me, if they don’t get Bellinger they need to get Chapman, or they are taking a step back net/net for their offseason. I love the idea of Swanson/Chapman as a gold glove left side of infield, personally. Would help their pitching immensely.
Should sign Bellinger and the former Cub Chapman. Absolutely no one has linked A. Chapman to the Cubs. Should be a no brainer. If he has an issue with being a set up man Adbert can pitch the eighth. Cubs have enough players to cover infield corners,CF, and DH with Bellinger on the team. And yes a Tauchman/Bellinger/ Busch CF/DH/1B works. PCA needs a season at triple A. Probably better off using the same scrubs at third rather than signing Chapman. Busch is not a third baseman. Better off at first where they can send him down and bring up Mervis if he struggles. Madrigal at third is a defensive wizard if he can bat at league average it’s good. He’s a little better value at third than his offensive numbers show when considering his fielding. Also a decent backup for Nico. The double A’s for the back of the bullpen would work.
Anaheim is desperate. If they don’t want a complete rebuild they can overpay to get him to pair with Trout. He can play stellar OF and also play 1B. Arte is good at handing out bad contracts so…
I like Belli, he was great both on and off the field. BUT….if it was up to me, I’d offer a “take it or leave it” 3 yr, 75 million deal, with no opt-outs, and healthy incentives for all-star selection, NL MVP, and playoff/WS MVP wins. Belli, Busch, PCA and Morel can cycle thru the CF/1B/DH/3B roles until Shaw and others make the jump to Chicago. If Belli says no, then ride with what you’ve got until the trade deadline. Oh, and since I’m spending Tom’s money, I’m grabbing Matt Moore, Hector Neris, and Ryne Stanek for the pen.
If you offered that to bellinger, he can say you ushered him out of chicago. Any team remotely interested in his services will have no problems beating that offer. It’s almost an insult based on his production last season. I’m just glad you’re a nobody and not leading the cubs!
He’s going to get way more than that. Whoever’s max is 3/75 ain’t getting his services
He’s a burn bag dude
He’ll have no choice but to go back to the Cubs because no one is going to give him what he wants.
He’s been fools gold his entire career. Especially in the postseason.
Disagree. If Bellingers price does fall to say 5/125 range rest assured Yankees will be all over that and just pivot to trading Vertugo and Torres. Bellinger goes to CF, Judge stays in RF and Soto LF. Peraza starts 2b and perhaps they land the starter they need using Torres/Vertugo prospects.
If the price is 5/125 then he’s already a cub. He’s still seeking 200 plus million, and no one is willing to come close. The cubs will probably go near the Nimmo deal but not much further unless a year or 2 is added to lower the AAV. Right now its Boras holding out for a miracle / mystery team to get involved late, and the cubs aren’t going to bid against themselves just to get him inked a few weeks sooner. The Michael Busch trade further supports this.
I personally don’t want Bellinger at anything over 5/125, or at most 17-19 mil a yr if its an 8-10 yr deal
Actually, there’s very little chance that the Yankees would sign him at 5/125.
Once they traded for Juan Soto, they were out on Bellinger.
Those bullpen options are good ones for ANY team.
Bellinger over/under
7.5 years, guaranteed
$27,000,000
I may be on the minority here but for a middle of the order bat try maybe JD Martinez and platoon with Busch at 1B/DH. Martinez has consistently hit everywhere he goes and would be a good mentor to the young guys coming up. Try Morel at third and then add a bullpen piece or two.
That’s a possibility I’ve floated out there. I’m not sure he can play 1B but I know he can DH and hit but that leaves Morel out of luck if for some reason he tanks at 3rd.
Call me nuts but I want zero part of that experiment. Busch is a poor fielder, Morel has an erratic arm, that duo locking down the corners has disaster written all over it.
Drasco, Busch doesn’t do well at 2nd or 3rd, but from what I’ve found about his profile from the 2019 draft is that, as a 1st baseman, he had an exceptional glove and was quick/agile for a guy his size.
The Dodgers moved him to 2nd because they thought he had the potential to switch from 1st to 2nd, in hopes of increasing his value to the organization. Because he can’t play 2nd/3rd doesn’t mean he’s a poor fielder at 1st.
At 2nd, I believe it’s a range issue. At 3rd, I think he isn’t consistent with his throws.
Martinez hasn’t played 1st in his 13-career. He hasn’t played more than 38 games in the field since 2018. Even then, he only play 55 games in the OF. At this point he’s a DH only.
I am sure Jed wants Cody on this Team for many years & many reasons but won’t risk future of team over bad contracts & I also think Cody will eventually tell Boras to make a deal with Cubs somewhere in vicinity of 7 @ 180 with opt out after 2 & again after 4 , something like contract just signed with Imanaga. Boras & his ego are overpricing most of his clients hoping to find a desperate owner again .
Nick Madrigal 8 DRS 10 OAA 560 innings at third
Matt Chapman 12 DRS 4 OAA 1213 innings at third.
Doesn’t really improve the defense all that much if you ask me.
Third base isn’t a priority for the Cubs, IMO. Really, first base, CF nor third is the priority. The priority is that the Cubs have zero middle of the order hitters. One of Suzuki can maintain his end of the year hitting binge but the Cubs absolutely need a run producer.
If the Cubs just wanted solid defense at third they would roll with Madrigal with Vasquez in reserve.
I like Chapman okay, he would lengthen the line up but I don’t like the idea of having him, Morel and Wisdom on the same team, in the same line up because they are all similar hitters, swing as hard as you can and pray for contact. The only way I would want Chapman is if we had either Hoskins at first or JD Martinez at DH which would require the Cubs to move either Busch or Morel.
As soon as Bellinger gets paid, he probably reverts back to the .220 hitter he was in LA. I think GMs are skeptical, or he probably would have signed by now.
Although Bellinger had an incredible rebound year last year you can’t forget the two previous dismal seasons beforehand irregardless of injury rehab etc. He should resign for a one year $25M contract and prove himself the superstar he started out like and then either let the Cubs extend him for going rate or reenter free agency. Two legit years and GM’s will be lining up to give him a multi year, imho.
Chapman at 3B is good play for Cubs. GG tightens defense improves pitching. Boras client though. Who goes next?
M Chapman seeking a long term deal. Kinda of a high salary. See Cubs investing in Bellinger before M Chapman. Believe Madrigal was a little better defensively than advertised. I’m not saying Madrigal is anywhere near the player Chapman is however there is a limit to how many players a team not the Dodgers or Mets can pay.
Cleveland has needed outfielders for years. How about a blockbuster trade with the Guardians? Shane Bieber and Jose Ramirez for Two of Brennan Davis, Alex Canario, Kevin Alcantara or Owen Caissie? Then throw in Nick Madrigal and Javier Assad or Hayden Wesneski, along with a talented arm like Ben Brown or Little.
Ride with Michael Busch at 1B this year. Jose Ramirez replaces the pop and hitting of Bellinger and 3B is solved for years. PCA in CF and then spend some money on bullpen pieces. If we can’t get Ramirez to go with Bieber, use the trade capital remaining from the Cleveland deal to go get Jesus Luzardo from Miami and sign Matt Chapman at 3B
Wicks and whoever remains between Assad and Wesneski move to the pen in 2024. Rotation is Steele, Imanaga, Bieber, Taillon and Hendricks. Alzolay closes and get new 7th and 8th inning arms like Moore and Neris or Aroldis Chapman, to go along with Leiter, Jr and Merriweather and we have a solid bullpen.
Off-season in 2024, sign Pete Alonso for 1B to go with Ramirez, Swanson and Hoerner.
Let Hendricks walk and go get another frontline starter (#1 or #2) and hopefully Cade Horton is ready to jump into the rotation and supplant Taillon.
Keep Christopher Morel around and enjoy 30 plus HRs each year and hopefully reduced strikeout rates. Seiya and Happ.in the corner outfield spots locked in both years and catcher looks good with Gomes and Amaya.
As.much as I love Belli and the great season he had in 2023, he is more likely to regress over a 6-8 year contract than produce 2023 like numbers over that contract. We don’t need another Soriano or Heyward albatross around our necks for the next 5 years or so.
With these scenarios, the only thing I haven’t figured out is what to do with Matt Shaw from Maryland.
As frustrating as thus off-season has been for the lack of moves, I love our farm system and what it can bring us with trade capital or veteran replacements. Exciting time to be a Cubs fan, for sure.
Ramirez has a no trade clause. He told his agent he wanted to stay in Cleveland and get a deal done. He took millions less when he signed his extension to get the no trade clause. He will be a Cleveland Guardian for a long time. Regardless, It makes no sense for the Guardians to trade him anyway.
Brennan Davis, seriously. He is a bust. Madrical really.
Except or the fact that the Cubs want no part or have any need at all for Shane Bieber and as the other guy said Ramirez has no intention of ever leaving Cleveland for half of the Cubs farm system and Major league pitching staff that seems like a great trade. For anybody but the Cubs. The Cubs would probably give you Brennen Davis for 25 bucks just to get him off the 40 man why don’t you ask?
Cleveland isn’t going that deal.
Lol. An entire farm system for two players? I’ve seen a lot of dumb trade proposals but this might be the king.
It’s only 5 players with one being a utility major leaguer. Cubs are trading for a perennial all star 3B and former Cy Young caliber pitcher and not giving up Horton or PCA in my proposal.
Central Fan, Cleveland would easily turn down that offer because it makes no sense for the Guardians to trade a perennial all star 3B on a team friendly deal and not get a quality return. Madrigal, Davis really.
Revolver made it sound like I was giving up the farm. Cleveland needs OF and they could get this haul from the Cubs per my trade specs:
Owen Caissie
Alex Canario
Nick Madrigal
Javier Assad
Ben Brown
I think that is a pretty good prospect haul and doesn’t include Brennan Davis.
Ramirez has a no trade clause, so this discussion is worthless. Second, Cleveland still says no and blocks the number. Reportedly, Cleveland wanted Horton as part of a possible Clase trade, Madrigal is useless to the Guardians. Assad and Brown look to be relivers or at best a back-end starter. Cassie is another left-handed hitter that struggles with lefty pitching. That does not help the Guardians. Need I go on. You can keep your prospects.
Again, Jose Ramirez has a no trade clause and it makes absolutely no sense for the Guardians to trade him,
Cleveland turns down that deal before Cubs finish the sentence asking for it.
Boras is slow playing it like he always does. He is just waiting to pounce to collect the biggest percent he can shove into his pocket. Just like anyone else. I dont blame him. I just hate his groanfull (is that a word) little comments he makes at the winter meetings. So sickening.
Cubs should sign Aroldis Chapman for 2 years and $24 million to be closer and move Alzolay to setup man. Then I sign Cody Bellinger to a 7 year, $175 million deal to play CF while PCA gets ready and then Belli moves to first base long term. I sign Ryan Brasier for 1 year and $6.5 million.
Oof no way.
For some reason I don’t see Bellinger back with the cubs. They don’t need him on the outfield and they can just sign Hoskins in a short term deal to play first until those other prospects are ready vs a 7-8-9 year deal with bellinger.
Angels are the wild card here the same as with snell.
I don’t really see the jays doing a long term deal with him. So his market isn’t that big and this could take awhile.
The perfect spot for him is on the padres. Unfortunately for him they aren’t likely to spend huge dollars on one player and his offseason.
I actually also like Chapman for both the jays and cubs better. Chapman also will work on the giants. Think his market will be the strongest, though his age and second half hurts him.
Could not disagree with you more. Replacing the offense Bellinger had last year is not a Hoskins signing away. They are virtually opposite players behind the dish. Hoskins brings power but also brings way more strikeouts and a batting avg / on base % starkly lower than Bellinger. The answer is signing both. PCA’s bat is not ready yet and when it is the Cubs will find a place for him. Bellinger can easily move to First or DH. Retaining Bellinger is crucial if the cubs don’t want to regress offensively.
Retaining Bellinger and adding Hoskins would solidify that lineup in a big way. I still think they need more pitching across the board but leveraging a high scoring offense with avg to below avg pitching can still work.
I would give Belli a 5 year 150 mil.
Year 1: 35
Year 2: 35
Year 3: 30
Year 4: 27
Year 5: 23
Opt outs for both sides after 2,3,4.
If Cubs opt out after years 2 or 3 he gets 10 mil bonus. If Cubs opt out after 4 he gets a 5 mil bonus
Too much
Hoyer has stated the Cubs don’t plan to go over the tax threshold. They need more than Bellinger but they have slightly over $30M to spend.
I’d be really surprised if the Cubs paid him $70M for 2 years.
Its gonna happen.
Again.
With or without beli. Would be nice to have him.
If the Cubs sign Bellinger he should be in an outfield platoon with time at 1b. and DH I’d guess in this scenario he’d be at 1b/DH most of the time. However if they wanted the best defense they can have they’d put Bellinger in Right bench Happ and slide Suzuki to left.
Its easy to see a fit for Bellinger if you plan on trading MLB ready talent such as Mervis, Busch, Morel, or Crow-Armstrong. Either that or you’re ok with wasting service time and options.
Bellinger absolutely destroyed left handed pitching last year and you suggest a platoon. Ian Happ earns consecutive gold glove awards and you suggest benching him. I don’t know who you’d suggest Bellinger bowing out of center field for or pushing him off first to DH but he’s a plus defender in both positions. It makes little sense to move Bellinger from center field considering how strong he is defensively with his plus offense.
Happ plays left field. For reference Shwarber’s 2018 season in LF was better defensively than Happ’s 2023 Gold glove year. I’m betting Suzuki would be able to cover it just as well with a better bat. Also, PCA has a cannon and could easily play RF if you stick Bellinger in CF. I’d argue this defense would be the best the Cubs could put forth. If you don’t use PCA what do you do with him? Carry as a 4th outfielder and limit his development?
So if you throw Bellinger at 1b how do you work it out with Mervis, Busch, and Morel Or are you going to shoehorn Morel at 2b and move Hoerner and/or Swanson? Or are you going to trade a few guys?
PCA needs more time in AAA in my opinion. His bat is flawed and it has nothing to do with his short stint in the majors, it was a known in the minors. Definitely needs time to develop.
I strongly doubt Mervis is going to develop into a quality major leaguer so imo he is moot. Busch’s ability to man first is a question mark but if we sign Bellinger to play first, I would be more comfortable with Morel at third. Bellinger is really good at first defensively, he’s long and he can pick it. It widens Morels room for error.
Using Schwarber 2018 for reference means nothing. He had a great 2018 defensively.
Lastly, trade a few guys. Yes, that is obvious. Cubs should be working trades now and will be working trades at the deadline if all goes according to plan. I.e. we are contending.
Mervis’ stat line is almost identical to Busch’s in the majors. I find it hard to write him off already after only 99 MLB ABs. Not too mention Mervis has typically shown a batter BB% and K% than Busch and has more HRs in a season, 36 HRs across 3 levels in 2022 with a majority at AAA. Not too mention Mervis is a year younger.
PCA has 19 MLB ABs. LOL, that’s not enough to gauge anything on. I agree his K% got a little high at AAA last year and a few months there may be good. I bet he gets a solid look in spring and we’ll get to see what work he put in in the offseason.
I used Schwarber as a comparison to show that anyone can play LF. It’s the least demanding of all fielding positions. Hence why teams typically stick guys like Manny Ramirez and Gary Sheffiled there. If you could guarantee me Happ hitting at least 25 HRs with a minimum of a.260 BA I’d be more open to his bat at essentially a 2nd DH spot.
If minor league stats mattered then Micah Houfpauir, Bryan LaHair and Jake Fox would all be in the hall of fame right now. There is a lot more to consider than stats and I would suggest look at the quote about Mervis from the athletic. Also, as I said before, the Cubs leaving Mervis off the roster when they expanded tells me a lot more about their views of him than what he did in Iowa.
Yeah, PCA is a great talent, long swing, needs more time in AAA.
The only difference between RF and LF demanding wise (in general, Wrigley is different) is left fielders do not need as strong of a throwing arm and can be a little slower. Balls hit to LF rarely become triples.
Schwarber DRS and OAA were swayed due to Almora and Heyward. Almora was fantastic in 2018 and nabbed a lot of balls that would have negatively affected Schwarber “defensive stats”.
I wouldn’t be surprised if they left Mervis at AAA to work on a swing change.
If they sign Belligner, with the long term deal it would take to get him. Do you keep PCA?
Do you think the Mets would require a trade including Alonsoi to include Marte as well? Should the Cubs wait for next offseason and go after him in FA?
Do you think the Cubs would target a front-end arm or 1b in a trade? They have the pieces for it.
If the Cubs re-sign Bellinger, a lot would hinge on what his contract structure looked like. I think most think Bellinger is finding his market too lean for his liking and will want an opt out clause after two years. If that’s the case, I’m not too eager to move PCA.
I’m also not making any trades positionally, unless it’s a multiplayer deal with several years of control. The Clase rumor being a prime example, I’d only do that deal, shipping top prospects if Naylor was included and in that situation, PCA is definitely on the table.
Alonso is a discussion for the offseason given how the roster shakes out. Or maybe the trade deadline. There are too many unknowns at the time aside from the Cubs thinking Busch is their opening day first baseman (at the moment).
If we are talking free agency next year, I like Bergman over Alonzo.
If you’re going for Naylor, I’d argue Morel, Mervis, and Busch are on the table. I like Nayloe as a 1b/DH slot. I don’t think I would put PCA on the table for that deal. Especially after Clase’s down 2023. Adding Clase would be nice. I’d be curious to see what an Azolay/Brown 8th 9th would look like if they don’t make the move.
I think the Astros and Bregman get an extension done.
Naylor is a fantastic defensive first baseman, stop trying to put great fielders in the dh slot.
Naylor and Clase would require a huge package of several top prospects.
Fans love to say “coming off a down season…” like it’s going to lower the price. The price is the price. You pay the price or you don’t get the player.
To me, the Cubs best bet would be to sign a guy like Moore or Robertson to stabilize the pen while letting Little and Alzolay continue to grow into their roles. Little, Alzolay, Wesneski are all really dynamic arms that can grow into high leverage relievers. If the Cubs choose, Brown and Arias are two guys with the stuff to pitch high leverage as well.
The reason I put Naylor at DH is because Fangraphs project Manzardo to start at 1b while he’s projected to be the primary DH in Cleveland.
As for a down year. For a reliever that can lower the price quite a bit. However he does have 2 previous steller years and team control. If there is a concern about something then yeah it would impact the price. Considering he saw a dip in velocity last year and throws a ton of sliders. There could easily be some future TJ surgery worries there.
Personally I want to see them acquire an ace pitcher. Adn Montgomery fits the mold of the staff, but he’s not the big strikeout ace the Cubs could easily pair with Steele.
If the Cubs are going to do a deal with Cleveland and sign Bellinger they should go bigger than just Naylor and Clase. Throw in Bieber too. Send them a bunch of prospects headlined with PCA, Brown, and Assad. But I’m kind of iffy on Bieber with an elbow injury last year and declining velo after 200+ inning seasons.
The only probably I see with Montgomery is that he is basically Justin Steele. Big lefty that misses barrels, doesn’t have an over powering fastball but it has really good run.
I also don’t think the Cubs need to sign a fifth starter (or trade for one for that matter). Between Assad, Wicks, Smyly and Wesneski, we have that covered. Outside shot Horton wins the job out of camp but a decent shot of him being in the rotation at some point this season.
Fangraphs can project a prospect all they want but he would have to be something magically with the glove to move Naylor. It’s worth noting however that he is projected to be a more impactful bat than Naylor and where a lot of fans think you can just slot a guy into DH, you can’t. DH is a mindset position like closer and a lot of guys cannot just turn it on to game speed 3-4 times a game for an at bat. Morel, case in point, has awful numbers as a DH but is very very solid with the bat when playing the field.
Not a chance 6 Years at 25 million per year for bellinger. With multipliers based on performance and 2 opt outs. I want to see what he does this year.
I will state. I DONT UNDERSTAND, the hard batted ball matrix all of these articles mentioned. I know the 28 yr old hit over 300, 27hrs. And what 80 rbi’s.?
He plays / A- center field and solid B+ 1st base. If he wins mvp, gold gloves, etc.. pay the man 30 AAV. If not let him opt out, play 1st only, or DH as he gets older. I am confident he is no Jason Heyward! Sign the man with Insensitives that drive him to great Success! If not move the F””k on and get me a starter and remaining 2 bullpen arms. I think our young talent and pitching will Lead the way!
Exit velocity is the new darling people love to throw out but don’t understand how to use properly. It only matters if all the other variables in the equation are the same or similar.
Example: early last season everyone was saying “what’s wrong with Juan Soto?” Sotos strike out rate was the same, launch the same, walk rate the same, so at that point you look at quality of contact, ie exit velocity. His exit velocity was the same so coaches could rest assured he was just suffering from some bad luck.
Flip that, and if a guy all the sudden is hitting for a higher average, and all other elements remain the same but his exit velocity is lower it could be an issue of good luck.
Bellinger, you can throw exit velocity out of the window because it was a complete change of approach. Shorten swing with two strikes with a lot less focus on pulling the ball. His exit velocity only matters on the first two strikes. You simply cannot say, when a guy cut his strike number by 100, that his exit velocity is a huge concern without sounding foolish.
But what about expected slugging?!? Another stat fools like to throw out on Bellinger but have zero clue how it’s factored (exit velocity, sprint speed and launch angle).
It’s simple but people refuse to realize. If you have 600 at bats, hit the ball 500 times and 350 of those time it was hard, your hard contact rate will be lower than the same guy who had 600 at bats, but the ball in play 400 times but his it hard 250 times.
A+… Straightforward, simple…
“Since, then, Bellinger’s market has been a surprisingly quiet one.” Come on. Deeds remains clueless with punctuation. He’s almost as bad as Steve Adams. Either can this kid or make him report to someone who actually knows how to write. He’s brutal.
Not sure how to contact a writer on here. But I just read that Ryne Sandberg is battling cancer. He recently found himself. Get well soon Ryno
At the top right is the site menu (3 horizontal lines) -> click -> 4th list option is “contact” -> click -> fill out the form and send.
Uh all my comments were deleted n this thread? Huh?